• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

PIRITHOUS And here's something to paint your pole withal.

[He gives them money.]

THESEUS Now to our sports again.

SCHOOLMASTER May the stag thou hunt'st stand long,

And thy dogs be swift and strong;

May they kill him without lets,

And the ladies eat his dowsets.

[Exit Theseus and train. Wind horns within.]

Come, we are all made. Dii deaeque omnes,

Ye have danced rarely, wenches. [Exeunt.]

Act III, Scene 6

Enter Palamon from the bush.

PALAMON About this hour my cousin gave his faith

To visit me again, and with him bring

Two swords and two good armors; if he fail,

He's neither man nor soldier. When he left me,

I did not think a week could have restored

My lost strength to me, I was grown so low

And crest-fall'n with my wants. I thank thee, Arcite,

Thou art yet a fair foe, and I feel myself,

With this refreshing, able once again

To out-dure danger. To delay it longer ...

Would make the world think, when it comes to hearing,

That I lay fatting, like a swine, to fight,

And not a soldier. Therefore this blest morning

Shall be the last; and that sword he refuses,

If it but hold, I kill him with; 'tis justice.

So, love and fortune for me!

[Enter Arcite with two armors and two swords.]

~~~ O, good morrow.

ARCITE Good morrow, noble kinsman.

PALAMON I have put you

To too much pains, sir.

ARCITE That too much, fair cousin,

Is but a debt to honor, and my duty.

PALAMON Would you were so in all, sir -- I could wish ye ...

As kind a kinsman, as you force me find

A beneficial foe, that my embraces

Might thank ye, not my blows.

ARCITE I shall think either,

Well done, a noble recompense.

PALAMON Then I shall quit you.

ARCITE Defy me in these fair terms, and you show

More than a mistress to me -- no more anger,

As you love anything that's honorable.

We were not bred to talk, man. When we are armed

And both upon our guards, then let our fury,

Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us; ...

And then to whom the birthright of this beauty

Truly pertains -- without upbraidings, scorns,

Despisings of our persons, and such poutings

Fitter for girls and schoolboys -- will be seen,

And quickly, yours or mine. Will't please you arm, sir?

Or, if you feel yourself not fitting yet,

And furnished with your old strength, I'll stay, cousin,

And every day discourse you into health,

As I am spared. Your person I am friends with,

And I could wish I had not said I loved her, ...

Though I had died; but loving such a lady,

And justifying my love, I must not fly from't.

PALAMON Arcite, thou art so brave an enemy

That no man but thy cousin's fit to kill thee.

I am well and lusty -- choose your arms.

ARCITE Choose you, sir.

PALAMON Wilt thou exceed in all, or dost thou do it

To make me spare thee?

ARCITE If you think so, cousin,

You are deceived, for as I am a soldier,

I will not spare you.

PALAMON That's well said.

ARCITE You'll find it.

PALAMON Then as I am an honest man, and love ...

With all the justice of affection,

I'll pay thee soundly. [He chooses one armor.] This I'll take.

ARCITE [indicating the remaining armor.] ~~~ That's mine, then.

I'll arm you first.

PALAMON Do. [Arcite arms Palamon.] Pray thee tell me, cousin,

Where gott'st thou this good Armour?

ARCITE 'Tis the Duke's,

And to say true, I stole it. Do I pinch you?

PALAMON No.

ARCITE Is't not too heavy?

PALAMON I have worn a lighter --

But I shall make it serve.

ARCITE I'll buckle't close.

PALAMON By any means.

ARCITE You care not for a grand guard?

PALAMON No, no, we'll use no horses. I perceive

You would fain be at that fight.

ARCITE I am indifferent.

PALAMON Faith, so am I. Good cousin, thrust the buckle

Through far enough.

ARCITE I warrant you.

PALAMON My casque now.

ARCITE Will you fight bare-armed?

PALAMON We shall be the nimbler.

ARCITE But use your gauntlets, though -- those are o'th' least.

Prithee take mine, good cousin.

PALAMON Thank you, Arcite.

How do I look, Am I fall'n much